Interview with Pat Reagan of Slippery Rock

Out on a run with Pat Reagan, Jeff Weiss, Jason Leonard along with their pacer Phil Rector the day before NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional. We cruised the streets of Slippery Rock at a leisurely 7:05 pace better known as ‘Phil Pace’. Coming off a great showing at the PSAC Conference Championships.

Interview with Pat Reagan of Slippery Rock by David Bracetty for Trackshark.com.

So what’s the last workout you guys did?

On Tuesday we did 6x200’s, pretty chill at 4:40 pace. Monday we did cruise interval miles at about 5:00 pace. This time of the season is so light for us. I (Pat Reagan) had trouble sleeping the other night because we’re so rested now.

We had a Fartlek two weeks ago. The intervals were 2-3-4-5-4-3-2 (minutes) then a mile. Our pick ups were at 4:40 pace on grass. We tried to run as a team and keep it together which is working well for us. The mile was the last mile of the course. We wanted to hit 4:40 on the last mile incase we need to run a 4:40 last mile tomorrow.

Your XC guys have made trips to nationals over the past couple years. What’s the training like here at Slippery Rock?

We have 5 paces we work with throughout the season, Coach Jack Daniels style. One of our big workouts is 5x mile with full recovery. Early in the season I’d try to hit around 4:32-30 a mile. It’s more of a neuromuscular workout and about getting our legs used to running fast. It’s pretty hefty recovery but we need it. All of our recovery runs are around 6:50-7:20 pace.

Over the summer it’s mostly mileage, tempos and some fartleks. I’ll go out in about 6:30 pace then run the last half around 5:25 pace and really try to hump it.

We do our early interval work all on the track and eventually transition to grass later in the season. Early in the season we basically run ourselves into the ground to recover late in the season. It’s like a gradual build and makes you a better runner.

In season, our long runs vary. I’ll run about 18-19 miles but not as fast as over the summer. Our #6 guy never runs more than 8 on a long run, and he just went 26:15. He had knee surgery last year and thats the mileage that works for him. Jeff (Weiss) is rounding out well and is up to 15 now on Sundays. Matt Grey, our redshirt transfer is up to 18-19 miles with me.

Your last regional race is tomorrow. What are you guys hoping to do?

The PSAC (Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference) and Atlantic Region is getting really competitive. I think last year we may have taken our trip [to Nationals] for granted. This year, with Jeff bouncing back from 8 weeks off and having the underclassmen step up, it means a lot more this year if we can go.

Our goal is to make it to Nationals as a team and repeat last year. We’d like to do really well. I have a lot of faith in our young guys and have good momentum coming off of PSAC’s. We are hoping to develop a tradition of success here.

Did you guys feel this way the whole season?

We did have our doubts early in the season. We weren’t sure how if we could make it back to Nationals. There was talks of red-shirting our team and waiting for Jeff to get back to 100%. He was finishing about 1 minute behind me every race up until the PSU National Meet. I ran a 24:05 equivalent and he really had a break out race running 24:15 equivalent. Thats when we knew he was back.

Your team finished second last week at PSAC’s with you and Jeff finishing third and fourth. Can you tell me a little about the race?

(Haha) Yea. Well there was a mixup at the start. The official didn’t give a 5 minute warning to the start, so I figured I had enough time to run to the bathroom. The gun went off while I was taking a leak. Of all people, Jeff ran over to come get me. We were 20 meters down from the start. I feel it’s a blessing in disguise though because if we would have started at the same time, I think I would’ve really went after it and tired my legs out for this weekend. I feel ready to roll. We are really looking forward to doing well on our home course and trying to bust up that course record.

The NCAA DII Atlantic Regional is tomorrow morning on Cooper’s Lake Campground Cross Country Course in Slippery Rock, PA. Men’s race is at 11am with the women racing at 12:15pm

Slippery Rock

08:11, 7 November 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Good luck this weekend.
Geddis

Best of luck

09:06, 7 November 2008 .. Posted by Shamus

Pat,
Good interview and best of luck with the rest of the season

Good Luck Rock

11:17, 7 November 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Great interview David, I really liked the questions.. Good Luck tomorrow guys!

PS. Pat- You were taking a leak when the gun went off! hahaha ohhh man!

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11:46, 7 November 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

Best of luck.

John B

way to go patty

10:21, 8 November 2008 .. Posted by Anonymous

i like the picture on the living room couch, whatcha eating??? keep on keeping on.

love u, g